[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 TRIBUTE TO EMPLOYEES AT AUDIE L. MURPHY MEMORIAL VETERANS HOSPITAL IN 
                            SAN ANTONIO, TX

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I received a letter from a Vietnam veteran, 
Gary F. Thomas, who was recently a patient for three months at Audie L. 
Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, TX. Mr. Thomas wanted 
to thank the wonderful staff of Audie Murphy Hospital for the excellent 
care he received and for their concern for the welfare of veterans. Mr. 
Thomas' letter is the exact message we need to spread regarding the 
quality and nature of care veterans receive at VA medical facilities. 
We should remember to praise more often the dedicated VA employees who 
provide high quality care to our Nation's veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I am inserting into the Record Mr. Thomas' letter to Mr. 
Jose Coronado, Director of Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital:

                                                    Brotherhood of


                                       Vietnam Veterans, Inc.,

                                      Houston, TX, April 12, 1994.
     Mr. Jose Coronado,
     Director, Audie Murphy Hospital, San Antonio, TX.
       Dear Mr. Coronado: I am sorry that I was not able to see 
     and Thank You personally for the care that I received as a 
     patient from your kind and caring staff and the hundreds of 
     other veterans who are being treated at Audie Murphy 
     Hospital.
       Sir, as the former president and one of the founders of the 
     Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans and now the President 
     Emeritus, I believe that you are one of the top hospital 
     administrators in the country. I base this statement on the 
     fact that along with being a Veteran Leader and advocate for 
     Veterans care, I am a retired 1st Sgt, and a combat veteran, 
     who has spent many months in the military, VA and private 
     hospitals across the country, checking on the treatment 
     Veterans are receiving.
       Mr. Coronado, I would hope you would pass on my Thanks to 
     your staff and all the hospital employees for a job well 
     done. Special Thanks goes to Mr. Frank Hopper, Asst. Chief of 
     MAS for his care of his fellow veterans and in seeing that 
     their administrative needs were handled in a professional 
     manner. Also, to Nurse Supervisor Jackie Reeves, one of the 
     top nurses in the country, to Dr. Gregory Powell, who never 
     gave up on me and now I can get up on a walker and stand 
     after a year in a wheelchair. To my caring Therapists Clyde 
     Newman and Peggy Guiberteau. These are the most caring and 
     professional people a veteran could ever pray for.
       Special Thanks also to Dr. Plunkett and Dr. Negavon who 
     supervised my care along with Dr. Goldstein.
       Again, Audie Murphy is one of the cleanest hospitals and 
     best run in the country from top to bottom basement, to the 
     7th floor your staffs dedication is a reflection of your 
     leadership.
       I wish during my 3 month stay, I could have recorded the 
     statements from the patients who were recovering and telling 
     me of their excellent care.
       I want you all to know that your efforts have not gone 
     unnoticed and that a copy of this letter is being sent to 
     President Clinton and members of Congress so they can see the 
     fine job that is being done by the employees of the Audie 
     Murphy Hospital.
       May God Bless you all and watch over you in your every day 
     caring for America's Veterans.
                                                    Gary F Thomas,
     President Emeritus.

                          ____________________